Aquarium Plant Container

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a plant container and filter system. The plant container portion secures plants, keeping sediment soil from floating away causing cloudy water. The filter portion eliminates the need for a separate aquarium filter and helps maintain the chemical balance within the aquarium. Aquarium plants are placed within the present invention through openings in the lid of the plant container. The roots of the plants grow and become entangled within the foam under the lid and sediment soil inside the plant container shell such that the plants are stable and not susceptible to falling or being otherwise disturbed or moved from their positions. The sediment soil is also secure and not subject to floating away and clouding the aquarium water.

CROSS-REF. TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an aquarium plant container and filter system designed to maximize water visibility and optimize plant growth with filtered, balanced water.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Aquariums commonly house fish, turtles and aquatic plants. Aquarium plants help display fish as well as give the fish shelter and security. Plants are useful in aquariums to convert the carbon dioxide to oxygen, prevent algae overgrowth, and to bind organic waste. In addition, plants also help divide the interior of the aquarium and allow different animal life to claim space within the aquarium as their own. Plant containers are normally filled with wet soil topped with gravel or rocks to hold the sand down. The plant can be inserted in the container outside or inside the aquarium. Aquarium plants require fertile soil, rich in nutrients, to grow adequately in home aquariums.

Aquarium enthusiasts often use everyday materials, such as bottles and yogurt cups, as plant containers. They can also use plastic pots or clay pots. The main objective is to utilize a container made of a material that will not pollute the aquarium water. The chosen container is filled with soil. Commonly fish or other aquatic animals will dig in the plant container, which disturbs the gravel and can allow the soil to float away and make the aquarium water cloudy. The soil may also naturally adjust and float away causing the water to cloud. To prevent this interference, gravel or rocks are placed on top of the soil to weigh it down and prevent cloudy aquarium water. However, the aquatic life can still access the soil, potentially disturbing it and cause floating soil particles.

Another downfall of the prior art is the tendency of the aquarium to develop “New Tank Syndrome” (hereinafter referred to as “NTS”). NTS occurs when the aquarium is not cycled properly before adding new fish. NTS can also occur after the installation of a new filter if the ammonia nitrite levels become so high that the fish are sickened or killed. The accumulation of fish waste, uneaten food, and various other products of aquatic life can also cause the water within the aquarium to become dirty and toxic. This hazardous condition exists until the dangerous quantities of toxins are removed from the aquarium.

The present invention addresses many of the above mentioned issues. The design of the present invention secures aquatic plants in the plant container, prevents floating soil, which clouds the water, and also eliminates the need for a separate filter while still maintaining proper chemical levels within the aquarium water system.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to eliminate cloudy water from floating soil particles released from aquarium plant containers.

Another object of the present invention is to eliminate the necessity of separate filters in aquariums.

Another object of the present invention is to create a natural, chemical free aquarium environment for aquatic plants and animals to thrive.

Another object of the present invention is to produce a cycled aquarium and avoid new tank syndrome without the use of a separate filter.

Another object of the present invention is to foster the growth of natural bacteria to help control the chemical composition of aquarium water.

Another object of the present invention is to provide as a sturdy plant container not susceptible to being tipped over by users or active aquatic life within the aquarium.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an aquarium plant container and filter system that provides a chemically balanced environment for optimum plant growth in a visually appealing aquarium system. The plant container section greatly reduces the likelihood of loose soil floating in the aquarium and provides a secure and stable container for plant growth. The filter section greatly reduces the time required for the aquarium system to cycle out toxins. The plant container and filter system includes two compartments attached to a bottom panel, wherein a first compartment (plant container) has a snap-on cover with plant openings and a second compartment (filter) has an attached cover with a pump opening and a filter grating. The aquarium plant container and filter system is positioned at the bottom of the aquarium.

The plant container system is composed of a plant container shell, plant container covers, and may include open cell foam. The snap-on cover is removably attached to the four walls of the container shell by friction. The pores within the optional layer of open cell foam are connected with each other allowing movement of water and plant roots throughout the structure. The top, or snap-on cover, of the box has numerous prefabricated openings for the placement of aquatic plants. In use, the interior of the plant container shell may be filled with soil, the optional layer of open cell foam placed on top of the soil and the plant container snap-on lid secured on top of the plant container system. Gravel may be placed directly on top of the plant container lid. The plants may be placed through the gravel so that the roots can grow downward through the gravel, lid, open cell foam and through the soil. The plant roots may secure themselves through the open cell foam and soil within the plant container such that the plants are not susceptible to being tipped or knocked over.

In this embodiment, the interior of the plant container may be filled with terrestrial soil, lake sediment, and organic matter. The composition of materials, or collection of particles, within the plant container system results in a high volume of natural bacteria, minerals and trace elements. This rich composition provides a tank that can be fully cycled within a matter of hours due to the increased levels of bacteria in the aquarium system. In addition, the soil materials regulate the chemical balance of the aquarium water eliminating the need for a traditional filter system and providing a nutrient rich environment for aquatic plants. In typical aquarium systems, a few days are required for a tank to fully cycle.

Due to the placement of the soil below the gravel, there is a decreased likelihood of soil particles floating away and resulting in dust clouds. The soil is secured by the plant container shell, foam, lid and gravel. When fish or other aquatic life dig around the plants, the soil will not float away since it is below the gravel, lid and foam which prevents tipping over of plants. In addition, the plant roots are secured through the gravel and entangled within the foam. In fact, the plant roots grow through the gravel and foam into the sediment within the plant container for optimum plant growth within the aquarium. This provides all the bacteria, minerals and trace elements needed for healthy thriving aquatic plants. The plant life is positioned such that the plants will not be knocked down or tipped over by the aquarium owner or the aquatic life within the aquarium. The aquarium plant container system keeps sediment particles from floating into the tank causing dust clouds. Even when plants are removed, the soil sediment is not disturbed and remains under the gravel. This prevents the sediment from floating away and forming dust clouds with the aquarium water.

The filter and plant container portions of the system lie along the same bottom panel, in this embodiment. The filter and plant container portions are separated by a space across the bottom panel that is uncovered by any container or compartment. The filter portion of the aquarium plant container and filter system is positioned on the opposite of the space and parallel to the back edge of the plant container portion of the system. The filter portion is a compartment through which water passes to be cleansed of ammonia and other waste products. The interior wall of the filter system, parallel to the container portion of the system, is covered by open cell foam. Beneath the filter foam, the filter wall has a grating, with several openings, through which water would pass. As water is pulled through the filter foam and grating, the force involved secures the foam to the grating. In this embodiment, there is also a hole in the cover of the filter portion to attach a filter pump, or other suction device, to aid in moving water through the filter portion of the system and throughout the aquarium.

The aquarium plant container and filter system also prevents the occurrence of New Tank Syndrome within the system. New Tank Syndrome is caused by a buildup of ammonia within a new aquarium system. Ammonia, which is toxic to aquatic life, is introduced to the aquatic system through fish waste, decaying food, and other life processes. As bacteria and plants grow and feed on the ammonia, it is converted from toxic nitrite to the less toxic nitrate. As bacteria continue to grow, the bacteria feed on the nitrate which converts to nitrogen gas to complete the nitrogen cycle. In order to obtain sufficient bacteria to sustain the system, an aquarium must cycle for days or weeks. Typically, a separate filter is used to maintain the cycle as well as filter particles from the aquarium water. These filters are often expensive and complicated to use. The present invention serves the same purpose but is more convenient and manageable for the user to operate.

In use, water would flow in the open space between the plant container and the filter system. The optional pump would pull the water through the foam and through the filter as part of the process to clear ammonia and particles from the water. The force of the filter pump secures the filter foam to the grating of the filter wall. The filtered water is then returned to the aquarium system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a first side view of the plant container portion of the plant container and filter system with filter foam;

Ref. 1 is a view of the plant container portion of the plant container and filter system;

Ref. 2 is a view of the snap on container lid;

Ref. 3 is a view of a plant hole in the snap on container lid;

Ref. 4 is a view of the container foam visible through the plant hole in the snap on container lid;

Ref. 5 is a view of the filter foam adjacent to the filter portion of the plant container and filter system;

Ref. 6 is a view of the pump hole in the filter portion of the plant container and filter system;

Ref. 7 is a view of the filter portion of the plant container and filter system;

Ref. 8 is a view of the space along the bottom panel between the plant container and filter portions of the system;

FIG. 2 is a second side view of the plant container and filter system with filter foam;

Ref. 1 is a side view of the plant container portion of the plant container and filter system with the filter foam;

Ref. 2 is a view of the snap on container lid;

Ref. 3 is a view of a plant hole in the snap on container lid;

Ref. 4 is a view of the container foam visible through the plant hole in the snap on container lid;

Ref. 5 is a view of the filter foam adjacent to the filter portion of the plant container and filter system;

Ref. 6 is a view of the pump hole in the filter portion of the plant container and filter system;

Ref. 7 is a view of the filter portion of the plant container and filter system.

FIG. 3 is a second side view of the plant container and filter system;

Ref. 1 is a view of the plant container portion of the plant container and filter system;

Ref. 2 is a view of the snap on container lid;

Ref. 3 is a view of a plant hole in the snap on container lid;

Ref. 6 is a view of the pump hole in the filter portion of the plant container and filter system;

Ref. 7 is a view of the filter portion of the plant container and filter system;

Ref. 9 is a view of the filter grating;

FIG. 4 is a first side view of the plant container and filter system;

Ref. 1 is a view of the plant container portion of the plant container and filter system;

Ref. 2 is a view of the snap on container lid;

Ref. 3 is a view of a plant hole in the snap on container lid;

Ref. 6 is a view of the pump hole in the filter portion of the plant container and filter system;

Ref. 7 is a view of the filter portion of the plant container and filter system;

Ref. 8 is a view of the space along the bottom panel between the plant container and filter portions of the system;

Ref. 9 is a view of the filter grating.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is a plant container and filter system for use in an aquarium system. FIG. 1 is a side view of the plant container and filter system. While FIG. 1 shows the plant container and filter portion of the device on the same bottom panel, the plant container and the filter portion of the present device can be separated. The system is composed of two main portions: plant container (1) and filter container (7). In this embodiment, the exterior structure of the plant container and filter system is constructed of a sturdy plastic. The plant container portion (1) is covered by a snap on lid (2). The snap on lid (2) contains a number of prefabricated openings or holes (3) for the insertion of plants into the plant container portion of the system. Beneath the snap on lid (2) lies the optional open cell foam (4). The user would position gravel on top of the snap on lid (2) after the plant container is in place within the aquarium. When a plant is inserted through the gravel and plant hole (3) in the snap on lid (2), its roots will grow and become secure through entanglement within the open cell foam (4) and the sediment soil beneath the open cell foam. Directly across from the plant container portion, is the filter system (7) of the plant container and filter system. There is an open space (8) between the plant container and filter portions of the system, along the bottom panel. The side of the filter portion (7) that is across from the plant container portion (1) may be covered with filter foam (5). The filter foam (5) is made of the same material as the open cell foam in this embodiment. Beneath the filter foam (5), is a filter grating (9). On the top side of the filter portion (7), is a pump hole (6) where the user would place the aquarium pump device in order to activate the filter portion (7) of the plant aquarium and filter system. Once a pump is in position and activated, water and particles would flow through the filter foam (5), through the filter grating (9) and up through the filter hole (6) into the pump, where the water would now be cleansed and ready to recycle through the aquarium system.

FIG. 2 is a secondary side view of the plant container and filter system. The plant container (1) is pictured with the snap on lid (2) in position. Beneath the snap on lid (2) is the open cell foam (4) which helps secure the roots of any plants placed in the plant container (1). The number of plant holes (3) will vary based on the size of the aquarium and the size of the plant container (1). The filter portion (7) is pictured with the filter foam (5) in place over the filter grating (9). A user would insert a pump into the pump hole (6) in order to operate the filter portion of the plant container and filter system. The force from the pump secures the filter foam (5) to the filter grating (9).

FIG. 3 is a side view of the plant container and filter stem with the filter foam removed. The plant container (1) is pictured with the snap on lid (2) in position. The number of plant holes (3) on the snap on lid (2) will vary based on the size of the aquarium and the size of the plant container (1). A user would insert a pump into the pump hole (6) in order to operate the filter portion (7) of the plant container and filter system. The filter grating (9) is located on a side of the filter portion near the open space (8).

FIG. 4 is a side view of the plant container and filter system. While FIG. 4 shows the plant container and filter portion of the device on the same bottom panel, the plant container and the filter portion of the present device can be separated. There is no container at the gap or space (8) between the plant container and filter portions of the system, along the bottom panel. The filter grating (9) is located on a side of the filter portion near the open space (8). The plant container (1) is pictured with the snap on lid (2) in position. The number of plant holes (3) on the snap on lid (2) will vary based on the size of the aquarium and the size of the plant container (1). A user would insert a pump into the pump hole (6) in order to operate the filter portion (7) of the plant container and filter system. 

What is claimed:
 1. A container for use inside an aquarium comprising: a bottom panel with a first end and a second end; a first group of four walls, of about the same height, connected to said first end of said bottom panel; and a first top panel operably connected to said four walls.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein said collection of particles is selected from the group consisting of: soil, sediment, and organic matter.
 3. The container of claim 2, wherein said collection of particles is positioned above said bottom panel and within said walls.
 4. The container of claim 3, wherein said collection of particles serves to secure aquarium plants placed within said container such that the roots of said aquarium plants grow within said collection of particles.
 5. The container of claim 4, wherein said layer of material is selected from the group consisting of foam, mesh, and steel wool, wherein said layer of material is positioned above said collection of particles, but below said top panel.
 6. The container of claim 1, wherein said first top panel contains a number of prefabricated openings, said prefabricated openings exposing the interior of said container, such that aquarium plants may grow through said prefabricated openings into the aquarium space.
 7. The container of claim 6, wherein said collection of particles and said layer of material function together to secure items placed within the combination of said collection of particles and said layer of material.
 8. The container of claim 7, wherein said layer of material secures said collection of particles such that said collection of particles do not disperse throughout said aquarium.
 9. A container for use inside an aquarium comprising: said bottom panel, a second group of four walls, of about the same height, connected to said second end of said bottom panel; and said second top panel operably connected to said second group of four walls.
 10. The container of claim 9, wherein at least one wall of said second group of four walls contains a number of openings.
 11. The container of claim 10, wherein said layer of material is selected from the group consisting of foam, mesh, and steel wool, wherein said layer of material is positioned adjacent to said fourth wall such that said layer of material covers said fourth wall.
 12. The container of claim 10, wherein said second top panel contains an opening such that a pump or other suction device can be placed within said second top panel to aid in the movement of water within said aquarium.
 13. A container for use inside an aquarium comprising: a bottom panel with a first end and a second end; at least eight walls, of about the same height, connected to said bottom panel; wherein a first set of four of said eight walls is positioned at said first end of said bottom panel, wherein a second set of four of said eight walls is positioned at said second end of said bottom panel; a first top panel operably connected to the upper edges of said first set of four of said eight walls; a second top panel operably connected to the upper edges of said second set of four of said eight walls;
 14. The container of claim 13, wherein a open space along said bottom panel separates said first set of four of said eight walls and said second set of four of said eight walls.
 15. The container of claim 14, wherein said collection of particles is positioned above said bottom panel and within said first set of four walls.
 16. The container of claim 15, wherein said collection of particles is selected from the group consisting of: soil, sediment, and organic matter.
 17. The container of claim 16, wherein said collection of particles serves to secure aquarium plants placed within said container such that the roots of aquarium plants grow within said collection of particles within said first set of four walls.
 18. The container of claim 17, wherein said first layer of material is selected from the group consisting of foam, mesh, and steel wool, wherein said first layer of material is positioned above said collection of particles, but below said first top panel.
 19. The container of claim 18, wherein said first top panel is optionally removable from its position atop said first set of four walls.
 20. The container of claim 19, wherein said first top panel contains prefabricated openings, said prefabricated openings exposing the interior of the first section of said container, wherein said first top panel is positioned directly above said first layer of material, such that said aquarium plants grow through said prefabricated openings into said aquarium.
 21. The container of claim 20, wherein said collection of particles and said first layer of material function together to secure items placed within the combination of said collection of particles and said first layer of material.
 22. The container of claim 21, wherein said first layer of material secures said collection of particles such that said collection of particles do not disperse throughout said aquarium.
 23. The container of claim 14, wherein said second top panel is optionally removable from its position atop said second set of four of said eight walls.
 24. The container of claim 23, wherein at least one wall of said second set of four of said eight walls contains a number of openings, wherein said one wall is perpendicular to said open space along said bottom panel.
 25. The container of claim 24, wherein said second layer of material is selected from the group consisting of foam, mesh, and steel wool, wherein a second layer of material is positioned adjacent to said wall; wherein said second layer of material is atop said prefabricated openings of said wall.
 26. The container of claim 23, wherein said second top panel contains an opening such that a pump or other suction device can be placed within said opening of said second top panel to aid in the movement of water within said aquarium.
 27. The devices of claim 8 and claim 12, wherein said bottom panel of container 8 and said bottom panel of container 12 are the same bottom panel, wherein said container of claim 8 and said container of claim 12 are separated by a gap along said same bottom panel, wherein said container of claim 8 and said container of claim 12 are positioned parallel to each other along said same bottom panel such that said fourth wall is facing said container of claim 8 positioned across said gap.
 28. A container for use inside an aquarium comprising: a bottom panel; at least two four-sided compartments attached to said bottom panel; and an uncovered area of said bottom panel; and at least two top panels.
 29. The container of claim 28, wherein a first top panel is positioned removably above a first four-sided compartment attached to said bottom panel.
 30. The container of claim 29, wherein said first top panel contains a number of openings such that the interior of said first compartment is open to the environment.
 31. The container of claim 28, wherein a second top panel is positioned above a second four-sided compartment attached to said bottom panel
 32. The container of claim 31, wherein said second top panel contains at least one opening such that a pumping device may be attached to said second compartment.
 33. The container of claim 32, wherein an uncovered area of said bottom wall exists between said first compartment and said second compartment, wherein an interior side of said second compartment perpendicular to said uncovered area of said bottom wall contains a number of openings such that water from said aquarium may flow through said second compartment
 34. The container of claim 33, wherein said pumping device is attached to said opening of said second compartment such that said pumping device pulls water through said number of openings at said interior side of said second compartment. 